Back to the Bricks 2014 Attracts Hundreds of MC Students on August 28

July 29, 2014

Clinton’s Olde Towne district will soon be the destination point for hundreds of Mississippi College students.

Organizers expect the annual Back to the Bricks festivities on August 28 will attract the first big wave of MC Choctaws to mingle with local merchants, feast on delicious meals and learn more about the many attractions of their new hometown.

No doubt, the savory aroma of food will be in the air in Olde Towne when activities begin at 5 p.m. that Thursday afternoon. Campus Dining Inc, the university’s food service provider, will serve meals to hungry MC students with ID cards in hand. Bound to refresh their taste buds will be ice cream scoops from area merchants during what should be another humid summer day in the Magnolia State.

Back to the Bricks is a wonderful way to toss out the welcome mat to Mississippi College freshmen and returning students at the outset of the 2014-15 academic year. Each time, the downtown Clinton celebration just gets bigger and better.

Last year’s activities attracted a record of between 800 and 1,000 participants.

“The event typically attracts a huge number of students and introduces them to the historic and charming Olde Towne area,” says Jonathan Nutt, MC director of student development. “It’s a great example of Clinton and Mississippi College’s great town and gown relations,” adds the MC alum.

That strong partnership is being showcased with a series of special events as Mississippi College begins its 189th academic year. The play “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder is set for production on the Clinton campus later this year. In addition, a special Messiah sing-along is planned for the Christmas season.

Back to the Bricks is expected to attract about 75 businesses and offer a convenient place for students to collect door prizes and converse with area merchants. They can find out about everything from Clinton’s top-notch restaurants to places to see a movie, go bowling, or take a walk in the park.

“Back to the Bricks is the first opportunity that our local merchants have to connect with new Mississippi College students,” says Tara Lytal, the Main Street Clinton director. The MC grad’s cozy office isn’t far from Back to the Bricks fun.

“They want to make a great first impression and invite students to visit their business.”

Students also get the chance to see Mississippi College President Lee Royce, Clinton city leaders, like Mayor Phil Fisher and Fire Chief Barry Burnside, along with representatives from Clinton churches, STAR 93.5, the Baptist Healthplex and the local newspaper, “The Clinton Courier.”

It’s definitely a win-win celebration for everybody involved in this city of more than 25,000 residents.

“Back to the Bricks affords city officials, department heads and business leaders the opportunity to make personal connections to students – our newest residents,” says Mark Jones, an MC graduate and the city’s director of communications.

“Our desire is for students to make a lasting connection to Mississippi College and to Clinton as a whole,” Jones said. Certainly, he said, it’s a good way “for students, faculty and staff to learn how they belong here.”

MC’s impact on the local economy is strong with more than a $70 million budget, over 500 employees and an enrollment of more than 5,000 students.

This must-see event has the support of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Clinton, the City of Clinton, Mississippi College and others enhancing the city’s extraordinary quality of life.

For more information, contact the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 601-924-5912 or Main Street Clinton at 601-924-5472.

Photo: Students fill the vendor-lined brick streets for last year's Back to the Bricks event.